Effectiveness of aroma massage on advanced cancer patients with constipation: a pilot study.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of aroma massage on constipation in advanced cancer patients. METHODS: This study employed a randomized control group pre- and post test design and included an aroma massage group, plain massage group, and control group. To evaluate the effect of aromatherapy, the degree of constipation was measured using a constipation assessment scale, severity level of constipation and the frequency of bowel movements. Data was analyzed by repeated measures of Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Spearman's rho and ANOVA using SPSS program. RESULTS: The score of the constipation assessment scale of the aroma massage group was significantly lower than the control group. Apart from the improvement in bowel movements, the results showed significantly improved quality of life in physical and support domains of the aroma massage group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest aroma massage can help to relieve constipation in patients with advanced cancer.
Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):37-43. Epub 2010 Jun 12. Lai TK, Cheung MC, Lo CK, Ng KL, Fung YH, Tong M, Yau CC. Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, 2-10 Princess Margaret Hospital Road, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, China. laitk@ha.org.hk
Very simply, stress is a situation when the perceived difficulty of a situation exceeds a person’s perceived abilities. Many times this may be a positive and enjoyable situation. A business challenge, a video game, or an enjoyable game of chess or golf represents times when a person may seek and appreciate a stressful situation. However, in our society, that is not always the case.
There are two instinctual attributes that are hardwired into our brain that may result in constant and recurring stress that may be harmful to our mental and physical health. The first is our survival instinct...
Do you choose to be ordinary? Of course, we admire heroes in life whether they are military figures, scholars, business people, scientists, or even athletes. What is amazing is that each and every one of those that we look up to have the same 3 pound brain, arms, legs, etc that we have. On top of that, some of the most amazing feats have been accomplished by people with one more disabilities. So, what is your excuse for not being brilliant? I assure you that it probably is weak. In fact, in each and every one of us have inside us a genius and a hero waiting to come out.
